Tour de Tortola
Tour de Tortola
Orano Andrews wins 15th annual Tour
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| SVG's Orano Andrews climbing Windy Hill. |
TORTOLA-Orano Andrews held off a hard challenge from visiting Italian cyclist Andrea Vaght and defending champion Chris Ghiorse, to win the 2008 Tour de Tortola in 2 hours 30 minutes and 40 seconds…giving him his 3rd win in a row in the BVI. Andrews and Ghiorse were having a classic 2 man battle up Windy Hill until visiting cyclist, Andrea Vaght, caught them on the descent down the Ridge road to East End.
“It was a good race,” Andrews said. “I could have done better on the climb up Windy Hill, but I feel good about it. After Chris (Ghiorse) left me in the rough section (Steel Point/Smugglers), I know that I had to ride the hills hard to catch him. I could see him all the time so I know it was only a matter of time before I caught him.” Defending champion Ghiorse had a 30sec lead on Andrews coming out of Steel Point/Smugglers Cove, and a 3 minute advantage over Vaght. “I knew that Orano is a good climber and is very fit right now, so I was trying to get a buffer on Windy Hill........
Aug 10, 2008, 18:46
Tour de Tortola
Ghiorse wins wet Tour!
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| Always smiling...always winning! |
Withstanding wet and dangerous terrains, Chris Ghiorse persisted along to come out the 2007 Tour De Tortola Champion. Ghiorse who clocked a time of 2 hours 29 minutes and 32 seconds in the 44 mile long race, was the first male to reach Sky World, where he was crowned KING OF THE MOUNTAIN (KOM).
This was the second time Ghiorse has won the race since his victory in the inaugural Tour de Tortola 12 years ago. He took part on two other occasions but admitted that he was out of shape. “It’s a dangerous course and the rain made it worst,” he admitted. Second place Phillipe Leroy came in minutes behind Ghiorse in 2 hours 35 minutes and 18 seconds. Leroy, who takes part every year and has won it three years ago, said Ghiorse was way too strong for him. However, he said he did enjoy the rigourous course especially going down hills.......
Jul 15, 2007, 19:21
Tour de Tortola
Antigua’s Robert Marsh easily defends Tour de Tortola title!
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| 5 Time Tour Champion Robert Marsh, climbing solo to victory! |
TORTOLA—Antigua’s Robert Marsh successfully defended his Clarence Thomas Ltd. Tour de Tortola crown on Sunday, winning the 40-mile cycling endurance test for the fifth time.
Although 10 minutes slower than last year, Marsh separated himself from second placer Al Gauchi and Andrew “Tubes” Thompson on the climb to the Balsam Ghut Prison, to win in 2 hours, 34 minutes and 49 seconds. Gauchi was second in 2:45.37 with Thompson third in 2:46.23. The tour went in the opposite direction for the second year, heading to Beef Island first, before hitting the Ridge Road.
“It felt easier than last year. Last year I was just getting back on the bike, so I was a lot fitter this time,” Marsh said. “After taking the lead by the prison, I tried to build up a big a lead as possible incase anything happened and it worked out well because I had a flat in Steel Point.
Jun 27, 2006, 15:45
Tour de Tortola
Antigua's Marsh Wins Fourth Tour
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| Cyclists heading east on the first leg of the tour |
TORTOLA—Antigua’s Robert Marsh made a triumphant return to win his fourth BVI Cycling Federation-Clarence Thomas Ltd. Tour de Tortola cycle race on Sunday, while the BVI’s Al Gauchi narrowly edged Nevis’ Reggie Douglas for second in a sprint finish. Marsh won the 40-mile race that went in the opposite direction for the first time, in two hours, 24 minutes and 34 seconds. Gauchi and Douglas were credited with the same time, 2:41.21. “It was hard race, harder than what it used to be because they went the opposite way,” acknowledged Marsh.“On the road along the coast, instead of the wind being on your back, it’s in your face in this one. You still have the hills and the wind on your back going uphill doesn’t give any help at all. That makes it a harder race.”
Jul 19, 2005, 06:59
Tour de Tortola
Tour de Tortola Offering Different Challenge
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| Phillippe Leroy leads last year's tour in the early stages before winning. |
TORTOLA—The 11th Tour de Tortola on Sunday, will offer visiting cyclists from Antigua and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as their local counterparts a different challenge, head of the BVI Cycling Federation David Thomas said.
“We have been kicking around the idea for sometime and have decided to send the race in reverse,” Thomas said, noting the plan was to do it during last year’s 10th anniversary. “We sat down a recently and said it would be nice to have the race done, as it would present a whole different challenge. In the past, we did all of the flat section early, which suited the sprinters, before all the climbing began,” Thomas noted.
Jul 13, 2005, 05:15
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